42 replies to this topic

[tombr]

I'm under the impression that ear protection is a must if you're going to the Indy F1 race. I believe that the types of sound that needs to get filtered out is not the same type of sound that, for example, ear plugs for shooting would filter out. So... what's the best kind of protection to get? Musician type of plugs? A url for the preferred devices would be appreciated.

Thanks
tombr

This space available at reasonable cost. Ask me how.

[Peeko]

You can ususally buy them at the race for $1.

[Peeko]

It also depends where you're sitting and how close you are to the track. I didn't need any plugs this year.

[goGoGene]

I wouldn't get the musicians for an F1 race, as I recall, they can vary in their attenuation, but it is less that that of the ones you can buy at Safeway/drug stores for a quarter. I use "Quiet Please" they work quite well, and report a 29dB attenuation (even shows a graph of attenuation/frequency band, geeky but cool). The musicians that I've seen usually max out at something like 20dB, nice flat responce, but not as much cut at high frequencies.

You could also get some of the ear muff style headphones, that, incomjunction with the ear plugs would save your ears quite a bit.

ggg

[A3]

I've been to Spa and was standing 10 metres from the track and I didn't use earplugs! Your going to see F1 and you need to experience it with your entire body !

WHAT DID YOU SAY??

[POA]

BAR WERE TESTING AT SILVERSTONE THIS WEEK AND THEY ARE VERY RELIABLE!!!!!!

WHO NEEDS EARPLUGS!!

WHIMPS??

[tanja]

Get earplugs!

I guess it depends on how old you are how you feel about this, but I would like to keep my hearing throughout my life. The levels those engines are at requires ear protection. Believe me, you can still "feel" the noise with ear plugs on. And you can hear the ludspeakers fine, except on qualifying day, which is when you REALLY need earplugs. So I say, listen to GGG. He needs his ears for work, so he knows what he's talking about.

[Lamont]

Definitely earplugs. Your hearing is not to be trifled with, you'll be glad later when you aren't deaf. Ever notice that the drivers are all wearing earplugs when they are hanging around the paddock? I'd follow their lead...;)

Like ggg says, I'd recommend the foam rubber type, usually provide 29-30db of attenuation.

[goGoGene]

The horrible thing about hearing loss isn't that everything gets muffled, what you usually end up with are these horrible whistling sounds in your ears 24hours a day, called tenitus. Very not cool, can drive you crazy, gives folks insomnia. Please, don't be a tough guy, where ear plugs.

ggg

[JayWay]

You crazy man!? Listen to A3, if your going to bring ear plugs then you might as well give those tickets to someone who will put them to good use!!! You wearing ear plugs takes away from 40% of the experience!! I urge you not to do this!When was the last time you heard of someone losing there hearing due to an autorace? Who cares if your ears are ringing afterwards, are you that much of a wussy? You wanna go look like a damn Nascar fan with those big goofy headphones and his Jeff Gordon seat cusion and Dale Oldfart thumase. Wake up! Get out your Ferrari flag, slap on a Schumi hat and take it all in, you will never regret it. You will be bragging to all your friends the next day about how amazing the sound was.

If your not understanding me then what I'm trying to say is DON'T GET EARPLUGS!!!!!

[Loz]

It really depends on where you are on the track. I found the engine noise was not the problem but rather the sound of the cars gearing down and backfiring that caused me the most distress. I have been to Montreal twice, in basically the same seats, right at the end of the main straight, at the first corner. The first year i was about 30 feet further along the track towards the corner and I needed earplugs. This year I was not quite at the same point, i.e. before they really started hammering down on the gears, and it was fine without.

You can buy just crappy little earplugs that construction or factory workers use, that will be fine. I also find it is not as bad on race day when the cars are relatively "together". During practice and qualifying all the drivers are positioning themselves to get a clear run, so it is basically car after car after car. A bit much.

Loz

[tanja]

When I went to the Canadian GP last year, many people (the smart ones, in my opinion) were wearing earplugs, so you will not be alone. And it did NOT take away from the experience. Actually, it made me more comfortable and I enjoyed the weekend tremendously. It's not about being a wussy. It's about being smart.

[Ursus]

I'd say, bring some earplugs! Then you'll at least have the option of wearing them. I

[Lee Roy]

Hey, try the best of both worlds. Take the ear-plugs, and after you hear the cars without them for a couple of minutes, then put them in. That's what I'm going to do.

[Alfisti]

Depends wher eyou are sitting. Idf they are accellerating, especiallyin the higher gears then you will need plugs.. the sound is devestating. If you are sitting on a corner or a chicane then u won't need them.

[Chris G.]

At my first F1 race at the hairpin in Canada, I wore no ear protection. I had a recurring ear problem in my left ear for about 8 months. It would get bad after a concert or loud music. It seems to have repaired itself for now.

I wore earplugs at the last Canadian gp (hairpin again) and have had no problems. Still, I would take them out once in a while just to hear the raw sound. It seems that submitting your ears to that kind of punishment for 2 hours is the big problem. So, like leroy said, use them but also listen to the sound w/out.

Like others have said, it does depend on where you're sitting.

[EdwRom]

Yeah, yeah, you loose 40% of the experience if you wear ear plugs. Boloni! Get your ear protection and keep your hearing, please! Take it from the doctor, my friends. And Jayway, I dare you to try to make me give my tickets away because I'm wearing earplugs! Go ahead, give it a try, hehe. I need my hearing to listen to your heart and lungs when you come to my office when you are old... and deaf ;)

[boost]

Short story:

As my friends and I where walking towards our seats we heard the first F1 cars being started from about 80m away.
Hmm thats loud they mused. Me having been before was ready and had my tiny ear plugs around my neck.
As we aproached out stand (senna stand, final corner onto the straight) the first car screamed by.
My friends got excited by the noise, and rushed to their seats (its their first GP).
Now we are sitting 6-8 meters from the wall the cars come up to real close as they exit the corner at full throttle while changing gears.
I put on my plugs and waited excitedly.
Next car came by, Benatton i think, my friends swore loudly and attemped to block thier ears while running away from the stand. I laughed when they come back with thier $1 ear plugs.
Ok story over. Its loud! Ear piercing, brain thumping loud! I was shocked when i first heard an F1 engine. I suggest u listen to it once then but in your ear plugs

[FredF1]

I'm with Boost... I was a musician for about 10 years - and did my hearing a power of no-good by not wearing earplugs (I have a 30% loss in my left ear). I wore them at SPa and was bloody glad I had them. I took them out a few times to really get the full effect, but 2 hours without protection is too much. I noticed I was in the minority on the Saturday, but on race day the majority of us were wearing them - As far as I know, Shell were giving out free sets of earplugs. Mind you, I didn't need them at all for the F3000 - the sound from them was very low - It's the high-pitched scream from the F1 engines that's the worst.

[baddog]

I think the helpful suggestion is to have a listen unattenuated, then put in plugs as you settle down for the long haul.. a brief exposure shouldnt be too damaging, and the experience IS awesome.

Of coure if you are in a slowish section or fairly far back up the stand you dont really need them so much as the noise is far from ovrewhelming

Shaun

[T4E]

Listen to GGG. Wear plugs. I once heard about a drummer who never weared plugs when playing. After few years he got tinnitus (the whistling sound in ear), and it was so bad that doctors measured it to be over 80dB!! DAY AND NIGHT!! He must take sleeping pils in order to sleep and if he wants to be a moment without the sound he must play music over 80dB...

And all this was due to noice of about 80-100dB. Imagine what a 140dB-F1-engine can do. (Keep in mind: plus 3dB doubles the noise!)

Don't be stupid.


T4E

[FlagMan]

JayWay - If your ears are ringing after a meeting then its a sign that your hearing is already suffering.

Having been standing track-side for about 30 years, my advice is to use ear plugs or ear defenders - tinitus certainly isn't a good thing - I speak from experience...

Some circuits even give away ear plugs for free - they certainly give a reasonable level of protection.

I don't know if they will be broadcasting the commentary on radio at Indy, but if they are, the best thing to use is a pair of 'goofy type' ear defenders with a radio earpiece inside - that way you get protection and can still hear the commentary.

[f1sl]

get ear plugs. there the most usefull thing you can wear at a race track. when ever i marshal for cars i wear earplugs beause some of those GT car are so loud that when they go by it tickels your throut and make your ears hurt. so i find that my ear plugs are pretty damn usefull. for bike races you don't need earplugs, you get the odd amater who has a bad exaust that make your ears ring every 2 minutes but that it. but wear your ear plugs, don't listen to the other people who don't want you to wear them.

[goGoGene]

T4E, thanks for spelling tinnitus correctly (I feel like such a dope explaining about it, but then spelling it wrong)


The story about the 80dB whistling is very good, and I hope that it helps a few people.

I had the start of a whistle, very quiet, but I'm a "Listener" by profession, and am very sensitive/critical about my listening apparatus. I now have to wear ear plugs when driving and on city streets. The whistle has now gone away, but I have to maintain this minor inconvenience to avoid tinnitus.

ggg

[TBone]

I think ursus and Lee Roy came up with the right idea: bring ear plugs, listen to the cars without them for a little while (as JayWay said, it's a big part of the experience) then wear the earplugs once you've heard enough.

This is what I did twice at the Canadian GP and that's what I would do if I were going to the US GP.

You should ask Damop about the type of earplugs he was wearing. They were really comfy and they did offer good protection.

[westendorf]

Your ears, your choice! Make your own choice by knowing the difference, not by stupidity. My ears are shot from being a traveling musican with no protection for much too long. {stupidity] Going on 12 years of saying huh? ciao,GFW
ps I think if your seats are under the covered grandstands the noise will be MUCH louder.

[bigblue]

A definite must, don't be silly. listen or you won't be able to.

[Jackman]

Buy some plugs at the track (preferably from the Minardi stand - they need the money ) and see how you feel when you are there - I was up track from Parabolica where speeds are extreme and needed them for qualifying and first few laps of the race, but after that I didn't really need them (trust me - when they come around as a pack there is a LOT of noise). At Spa I wasn't quite as close to the track (too many Germans) and didn't need them at all.

Loads of people will have them - you won't be alone.

Better to have them and not need them then the other way around ...

[Ellen2]

been to 43 GPs in my life and never used ear plugs. Unless the contained section has some structural reason for creating an abnormal sound, I see no reason why you should deprive yourself of one of the best aspects of being at a live GP. And keep in mind these cars sound nothing like the boxer 12 cilinder Ferrari or the engines Alfa Romeo and Matra were using in the early 80s before the turbos. Just shocking sounds. Nowadays the noise is much less intense, so you shouldn't have any problem.

[Todd]

Originally posted by Ellen2
been to 43 GPs in my life and never used ear plugs. Nowadays the noise is much less intense, so you shouldn't have any problem.

Could the noise be much less intense now because you went to 43 GPs and never used ear plugs?;)

[Slick]

I was at silverstone in July for testing and 7 hours of f1 cars going round a track with no ear plugs gave me a little bit of a headache at the end of the day.

I would suggest some sort of ear protection if you want to keep you hearing.

[Ellen2]

good point Todd

[Bob Nomates]

It's very noisey at the end of a straight, it's almost like gun fire as they change down though the gears

[Yelnats]

Ringing in the ears is a sign of ear damage and but in 40 years of trackside watching I have never experienced it. BUT if one is concerned or experiences discomfort/ringing by all means use ear protection.

Noise levels decrease by 6 db with every doubling of distance so the close (<30 m) exposure at trackside lasts a very short time per vehicle. This works out to about 1 second per car or about 20 second per 90 second lap.

The difference between listening from 30 m and 1 m where levels exceed 130 db is about 36 db which gives a level of about 100 db at trackside. Three vehicles in this zone give about 104 db. This is equivalent to a very loud passage by a symphonic orchestra and in no way comparable to a rock band or even a high powered stereo.

Of course exposure to constant sound of levels of 100 db for hours per week will cause hearing loss but racing cars don't produce a constant level at track side so the net exposure is quite low. If one is fortunate enough to watch a F1 race from less than 30 m, more than your hearing is in danger (Remember Monza this year) and I would suggest moving back for other reasons than hearing loss!

[Bob Nomates]

OT: Yelnats, my girlfriend says I always watch the TV far too load, I put it down to the fact that I used to work in noisey factories and probarly need my ears clearing out,couldit be the case that I'm now a bit deaf???.or will a trip to the doctors to have my ears syringed sort the problem out?

[GaryG]

Definitely, use ear plugs! Ellen says that cars are not as loud these days. WRONG! They're louder and have more of a scream than ever before IMHO. I found at Canada that without plugs, the noise was actually painful. You'll be surprised how loud the cars are even with the plugs. Use them and save your hearing.

[Damop]

Yep, people who say they don't need ear plugs are full of crap. That's macho bravado. These same people probably play that knife game with their hand because it is "part of the experience".

It is worthwhile to listen for a couple of laps without plugs, but you will need them for the long haul. As an engineer I work with a lot of equipment operators and all of these dudes have hearing aids because of the machinery noise. I always wear hearing protection around very load equipment because I firmly believe in the expression "Cock suckers are deaf".

[ARing]

I usually try to listen to the first few laps without earplugs. It is amazing when the field comes around together. The sight and sound is something terrific, especially as contrasted to the silence that falls as the cars head around to the back side of the track.

Then as cars spread out and the noise gets more constant I don't think it is worth jeopardizing my hearing any longer. Earplugs go in.

A little risk is worth it at the start, but have earplugs for the long haul. I have already lost enough hearing to know it is not to be trifled with. Anykind will do from shooting plugs to the simple foam ones.

As several people said distance does matter, but I used to live 10 Km's from Hockenheim and would be awakened on Saturday morning by the sound of free practice.

[goGoGene]

Yenalts, while some of your theory is good about acoustics, you are very VERY wrong in your results.

You say that a car producing 130 dB will be producing 36 dB at 30m at the race track. WRONG!

130dB is basically the output of a jet engine, 36dB is basically the SPL (sound pressure level) experienced in a quite room, like a bedroom at night (without any "guests...if you know what I mean). Your conclusion is wrong.

Acoustic power drops 6dB per doubling of distance assuming sphereical radiation, which is not the case at the race track. First off, you only radiate over half of a sphere (you don't lose that much through the ground) and then on top of the you are surrounded by reflective surfaces at the race track.

I won't go any farther, don't want to bore any reader here. Suffice it to say, it is really loud at the track, and rarely drops below 85dB SPL, which is roughly the sound level on a busy city street, and can easily peak at 130 to 140 SPL, the threshold of pain.

ggg

[Peeko]

Again, it all depends on how far you sit form the track. I was very close to the track in 99 and needed them. This year I was farher from it (But with a much better view!!), and didn't need them. But better to have them and be prepared. In 91, because of where we were sitting, we had to put kleenex in our ears cause we didn't have plugs!!!

[Ellen2]

Damop, don't be ridiculous. One thing is a professional exposed to noise every day of the week. One thing is soneone exposed to noise 2 hours twice a year. Most people here expose themselves to higher level of noise going to rave parties or clubs, where they stay 6-8 hours in a row.

Chris, I am sorry, but I fail to see how you can say I am wrong that the 12 cilinders boxers in the late 70s, early 80s were more rumorous. I have heard them back then and I have heard current engines. Current engines produce more noise than the good old 8 cilinder Ford Cosworth, but Ferrari, Alfa and Matra had far more noisy units. Did you actually hear them live at a GP or you are just speculating from you couch? in Monza and Imola the Alfas were insanely loud.

[goGoGene]

Ellen, it depends on your age really, but a single exposer to high sound levels can cause permanent damage. I went to a NIN concert and listen to one or two songs w/o ear plugs. My ears would not stop ringing. I took me wearing era plugs everywhere for a couple of months to get it to stop.

This really scared me because it directly impacts my job performance. But I just want people to know that "it's just for and hour and a half" isn't a valid argument. It can cause permanent, and really irritating, damage.

ggg

[Ellen2]

I guess we all perceive sound differently, similarly to pain. I never felt any problem, but I noticed children cannot bear it. I am not saying people shouldn't be wearing plugs, but don't knock trying to listen to the cars without them, because to me it's 1/2 the experience. Maybe I am just lucky that I don't feel any pain or discomfort from listening to F1 cars roar by